Essentials
DIVE CENTRE : CAP Plongée Dive Centre , Port de la Coudoulière , 302 Av . de la Coudoulière , Six-Fours-les-Plages , 83140 , France . Telephone : 0033 6 1251 8546 . Website : capplongee . com Email : cap-plongee @ hotmail . com forkbeards , barracuda and many others . It ’ s always tough to select a signature dive , but if pressed Malcolm will highlight two of his favourites . For those on open circuit , he commends ‘ le Jas ’ with its many whip corals and gorgonian fans , or the Arroya wreck for those in search of rust . Close by for trimix rebreather divers is a site called Les Lampes - a rocky outcrop at 65m with large , bicolored gorgonians alongside a forest of thousands of fanworm sabellas on a sandy plain . If you are lucky , you might spot a large dusky grouper or even a sunfish ( Mola mola ) here . Venturing to 80 metres , there is a site thick with black coral , home to dense fish life and a resident John Dory fish .
Malcolm is looking forward to seeing some Brit divers discovering his adopted home . “ Surprisingly few British divers have experienced this close-by diving destination with high-quality dives ,
" Malcolm is looking forward to seeing some Brit divers discovering his adopted home "
A school of banded sea bream pass the reef wall
teaming with subaquatic life in warmer water that is accessible year-round ,” he says . “ CAP Plongée wish to change this and we warmly welcome BSAC divers , whether it ’ s for club group training sessions or recreational dives , referrals , or first open water dives . We also offer individual diver training for BSAC divers and a multitude of recreational or technical dives for certified divers .”
When ’ s the best time to go ? Diving is possible all year round , including in February . However , the water becomes significantly warmer in June , ( but diving is good from April ) and remains around 20 ° C or more until the end of October .
The quantity of marine life also increases in the warmer months . Throughout the year , the water temperature never falls below 14 ° C , while it can reach 27 ° C in August ; when the surface is so warm , expect thermoclines during your descent . �
Propellers on the wreckage of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter
GETTING THERE : There are three travel options for getting to Six Fours :
■ Flights – 2 to 2.5 hour daily flights from the main British airports to Marseille Provence International Airport , followed by a one-hour drive along the motorway .
■ Eurostar - If leaving from London you have the option of a comfortable , seven-hour highspeed train trip to Toulon , with a TGV transfer at Paris Gare de Lyon . Then a 15 km Uber ride from Toulon station to Six Fours .
■ Driving - After crossing the channel , take the regular holiday routes on the excellent French motorways to reach the South of France . Exit the A50 motorway ( that runs between Marseille and Toulon ) for Six Fours .
ACCOMMODATION : La Coudoulière port is a popular destination for holidaymakers , since everything is within walking distance and is conveniently located near local shops & restaurants . There is a wide selection of accommodation including campsites , bungalows , self-catering apartments and luxury villas .
CAP Plongée ’ s two accommodation partners are walking distance to the centre : there is the Garden & City Apartment Hotel , or alternatively the Rayolet Campsite offers furnished and equipped bungalows . The apartment complex opposite the dive centre , La Domaine de la Coudoulière has over 2,000 apartments , many of which are available for rent on Airbnb .
TOPSIDE : The Provence Côte d ’ Azur is one of Europe ’ s most rewarding places . Enjoy the charm , visit historic sites , explore the beautiful countryside , savour delicious gastronomy and relax on the beaches . Check out the regional website en . tourisme-ouestvar . com /
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